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The Kerikeri-Waipapa Refuse Transfer Station will also take bulk and bagged rubbish, e-waste, whiteware, scrap metal, waste oil and household hazardous waste.

Recyclable materials can be dropped off without charge while standard rates apply to other refuse.

Council infrastructure manager Andy Finch said Kerikeri residents had been requesting a transfer station for several years. Previously, Kerikeri residents had to make a 40-minute round trip to Whitehills, the nearest council refuse station.

"A key goal of our waste plan is to have a recycling facility within 15 minutes' drive of the majority of residents. The new Waipapa site will finally make that a reality for Kerikeri."

By working with Northland Waste, plans to open a new transfer station were brought forward by at least two years.

"Northland Waste was already building its own facility at Waipapa and has included a public drop-off facility within that site. This was secured on very favourable terms, so ratepayers have gained a transfer station earlier than planned and at a cost saving."